Renting With Pets

Landlords will soon be unable to deny a “reasonable” pet request from their tenants.

Proposed Changes

Animal-loving tenants will have stronger rights to request pets, while landlords will have fewer grounds to deny them.

THE RIGHT TO REQUEST PETS - Pets have traditionally been a sticking point between tenants and landlords.

Under the new law, tenants will have a legal right to request pets, and landlords will no longer be able to impose blanket bans on their properties. 

All requests must be considered fairly, on a case-by-case basis.

Landlords will be required to reply in writing and can request additional information (vet records, the size of the pet, etc).

REASONABLE REFUSAL GROUNDS - Health concerns If the landlord or a tenant in the same building has severe pet allergies, it can be a valid reason for refusal.

Request refusals must be based on “reasonable” grounds. “Unreasonable” denials can be reported to the new PRS Ombudsman and may result in fines or even escalation to civil courts in extreme cases.

What are reasonable grounds for refusal? 

The government has yet to disclose a full list of grounds for refusal, but the following have been noted:

Lease restrictions from a superior landlord

If the property is leasehold and the superior landlord or freeholder has a no-pets clause, the landlord could refuse the request

Health concerns

If the landlord or a tenant in the same building has severe pet allergies, it can be a valid reason for refusal.

Lack of vaccinations

or pest infestations If the pet is not up-to-date on its vaccinations or is infested with fleas or ticks, it could pose a danger to other animals and tenants in the building

Unsuitable property

The property does not meet the pet’s needs. For example, a big dog living in a small flat, or a dog with mobility issues living in a top-floor flat.

Anti-social behaviour

An aggressive dog or an excessively loud parrot could be considered anti-social behaviour and thus grounds for refusal.

SAFEGUARDS FOR LANDLORDS

The government initially planned to appease landlords worried that pets could damage their properties by allowing them to require that tenants take out pet damage insurance. This provision was removed during parliamentary debates. A dedicated pet damage deposit was proposed as an alternative solution, but the government believes that traditional deposits will be sufficient to cover any unfortunate accidents.

LANDLORDS MUST BE REASONABLE

Landlords must consider pet requests reasonably and cannot impose blanket bans. Although property damage concerns are valid, the government has ruled these should not override tenant rights. Yet, by removing the requirement for tenants with pets to purchase pet damage insurance, it risks undermining these proposed reforms.